Effects of caffeine and cycloheximide during G2 prophase in control and X-ray-irradiated human lymphocytes

The effect of caffeine and cycloheximide during the G2 phase on frequency of chromosomal aberrations and G2 duration was studied in control and X-ray-irradiated human lymphocytes in vitro. Caffeine treatments alone increase the frequencies of chromatid breakage and decrease the average G2 duration in control and X-ray-irradiated lymphocytes (40 R). Both caffeine effects are reversed by 0.5 micrograms/ml cycloheximide in combination treatments. Cycloheximide treatments alone prolong G2 duration in control as well as in X-ray-irradiated lymphocytes although no improvement in chromosome repairing by this inhibitor of protein synthesis was observed under the conditions of our experiments. We propose that the cycloheximide effect is associated with a low level of mitotic factors, required for the entrance into mitosis, which is maintained at a higher level in caffeine treatment alone. Finally, G2 delay has generally been associated with certain genome damage. The fact that the caffeine and cycloheximide effects on X-irradiated lymphocytes are also present in control lymphocytes (without X-rays) suggests that control of the G2 duration constitutes one of the mechanisms involved in DNA repair operating during the G2 phase.     

Relationship of chromosomal damage induced by caffeine to growth temperature and ATP level in proliferating cells

Caffeine is known to induce chromosomal aberrations in proliferating cells when they are incubated during G2 and mitotic prophase. In the present paper, this caffeine effect has been analyzed in Allium cepa root meristems growing at different culture temperatures under steady-state kinetics. Caffeine (1-10 mM) induces chromosomal aberrations in a dose-dependent manner, and the treatment efficiency correlates linearly with the square of caffeine concentration. The efficiency of caffeine incubations, within the range 5-25 degrees C during equivalent cycle time periods has also been studied. It has been found that the lower the culture temperature, the higher the level of chromosomal aberrations. Moreover, at different temperatures, the level of chromosomal aberrations is a simple function of caffeine concentration and the ATP level. Therefore, the efficiency of caffeine treatment appears to be determined by some interaction between caffeine concentration and cellular ATP level. Our present results demonstrate that the influence of growth temperature on the chromosome-breaking effect of caffeine can be, at least partially, explained by the ATP levels during the incubation periods. In short, under different kinetics of plant cell proliferation, the ATP level, and/or something correlating with it, could explain the efficiency of caffeine in inducing chromosomal aberrations: the lower the ATP level, the higher the caffeine efficiency.     

Cell-stage-specific enhancement by caffeine of the frequency of chromatid aberrations induced by X-rays in neural ganglia of Drosophila melanogaster

Caffeine (10(-2) M) induced a high level of chromatid aberrations in neural ganglia of third-instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster only when it was added to cells in late G2 and mitotic prophase. No aberrations were observed after treatment in late S--middle G2 or C-mitosis. We observed that, in these stages, caffeine strongly increased X-ray-induced damage (500 R). This potentiation was quantitatively similar. But it involved all types of aberration after treatment in C-mitosis, and essentially isochromatid deletions and chromatid exchanges after treatment in S--G2. Some hypotheses are put forth to explain the possible mechanism of action of caffeine in the potentiation of X-ray-induced damage.     

Evidence for the involvement of CaMKII and AMPK in Ca2+-dependent signaling pathways regulating FA uptake and oxidation in contracting rodent muscle.

Calcium-calmodulin/dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) have each been implicated in the regulation of substrate metabolism during exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine whether CaMKII is involved in the regulation of FA uptake and oxidation and, if it is involved, whether it does so independently of AMPK and ERK1/2. Rat hindquarters were perfused at rest with (n = 16) or without (n = 10) 3 mM caffeine, or during electrical stimulation (n = 14). For each condition, rats were subdivided and treated with 10 muM of either KN92 or KN93, inactive and active CaMKII inhibitors, respectively. Both caffeine treatment and electrical stimulation significantly increased FA uptake and oxidation. KN93 abolished caffeine-induced FA uptake, decreased contraction-induced FA uptake by 33%, and abolished both caffeine- and contraction-induced FA oxidation (P < 0.05). Caffeine had no effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation (P > 0.05) and increased alpha(2)-AMPK activity by 68% (P < 0.05). Electrical stimulation increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and alpha(2)-AMPK activity by 51% and 3.4-fold, respectively (P < 0.05). KN93 had no effect on caffeine-induced alpha(2)-AMPK activity, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, or contraction-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation (P > 0.05). Alternatively, it decreased contraction-induced alpha(2)-AMPK activity by 51% (P < 0.05), suggesting that CaMKII lies upstream of AMPK. These results demonstrate that regulation of contraction-induced FA uptake and oxidation occurs in part via Ca(2+)-independent activation of ERK1/2 as well as Ca(2+)-dependent activation of CaMKII and AMPK.     

Central nervous system effects of caffeine and adenosine on fatigue

Caffeine ingestion can delay fatigue during exercise, but the mechanisms remain elusive. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that blockade of central nervous system (CNS) adenosine receptors may explain the beneficial effect of caffeine on fatigue. Initial experiments were done to confirm an effect of CNS caffeine and/or the adenosine A(1)/A(2) receptor agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) on spontaneous locomotor activity. Thirty minutes before measurement of spontaneous activity or treadmill running, male rats received caffeine, NECA, caffeine plus NECA, or vehicle during four sessions separated by approximately 1 wk. CNS caffeine and NECA (intracerebroventricular) were associated with increased and decreased spontaneous activity, respectively, but caffeine plus NECA did not block the reduction induced by NECA. CNS caffeine also increased run time to fatigue by 60% and NECA reduced it by 68% vs. vehicle. However, unlike the effects on spontaneous activity, pretreatment with caffeine was effective in blocking the decrease in run time by NECA. No differences were found after peripheral (intraperitoneal) drug administration. Results suggest that caffeine can delay fatigue through CNS mechanisms, at least in part by blocking adenosine receptors.     

Enhancement by methylxanthines of sister-chromatid exchange frequency induced by cytostatics in normal and leukemic human lymphocytes

The effect of theobromine (TB) and diphylline (DP) or (1,2-dihydroxy-3-propyl)theophylline on SCE rates induced in vitro by mitomycin C (MMC), and the effect of caffeine on SCE rates induced in vitro by cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) was studied. The combined treatments with MMC plus TB or DP showed the potentiating ability of the latter drugs. Caffeine also enhanced SCEs induced by Ara-C in cultured human lymphocytes. Caffeine and adriamycin (ADR) did not act synergistically on induction of SCEs. In a combined study, in vivo and in vitro, lymphocytes taken from 2 leukemic patients who had been given chlorambucil (CBC) or Ara-C by injection 3 h before, and then treated with caffeine in vitro, were found to have synergistically increased exchange frequencies.     

Effect of caffeine on the frequency of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations at different stages of the cell cycle

The effect of caffeine on the frequency of chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes irradiated at different stages of the cell cycle was studied. Caffeine appeared to nearly double the frequency of chromosome aberrations induced by irradiation at S and G2 stages and did not influence the effect of irradiation at G0 and G1 stages.     

Clastogenic action of ellipticine over the cell cycle of human lymphocytes and influence of posttreatments with caffeine and ara-C at G2

The clastogenic potential of the intercalating compound ellipticine, an antitumor alkaloid, has been demonstrated in mammalian cells. To characterize the mechanism of action of this drug over the cell cycle, human lymphocyte cultures from 2 healthy donors were treated with 3 micrograms/ml ellipticine in 30-min pulses during different phases of the cell cycle and analyzed for chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges. The G2 phase was most sensitive in terms of induction of aberrations, followed by S and G1. Chromatid-type aberrations were the most common type of chromosomal damage. Induction of SCEs was significantly high only after treatment at G1, when the frequencies of SCEs doubled. The post-treatment effect of lymphocytes with inhibitors of DNA repair, 10(-3) M caffeine and 5 x 10(-6) M 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, was also tested by adding 3 micrograms/ml ellipticine at G2 in 30-min pulses and immediately followed by caffeine and/or ara-C during the last 3 h before harvesting. Three experiments performed on blood from 3 donors showed a moderate potentiation effect on the frequency of chromatid-type aberrations (about 2-3 times) by both inhibitors. Likewise, a 3-fold increase was observed in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations when caffeine and ara-C were combined. The present data demonstrate that posttreatment with caffeine and ara-C at G2 can modify the response of human lymphocytes treated with ellipticine by increasing the clastogenic action of this compound or by changing the cell-cycle progression.     

Decreased density of the CCR5 receptor on the surface of CD4+ lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages is associated with the CCR5-59653T transition in the promoter region

We compared the density of the CCR5 receptor on the surface of CD4+ lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages of the homozygote (CCR5-59653C) and the heterozygote (CCR5-59653T), bearing CCR2-64V alleles. Flow cytometric analysis revealed lower density of the CCR5 receptor on the surface of CD4+ lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages of the heterozygote than in the same cells of the homozygote. Our observation might explain slower replication of HIV and the delay in progression to AIDS in the individuals bearing CCR5-59653T transition.     

Caffeine inhibition of rat carotid body chemoreceptors is mediated by A2A and A2B adenosine receptors

Caffeine, an unspecific antagonist of adenosine receptors, is commonly used to treat the apnea of prematurity. We have defined the effects of caffeine on the carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors, the main peripheral controllers of breathing, and identified the adenosine receptors involved. Caffeine inhibited basal (IC50, 210 microm) and low intensity (PO2 approximately 66 mm Hg/30 mm K+) stimulation-induced release of catecholamines from chemoreceptor cells in intact preparations of rat CB in vitro. Opposite to caffeine, 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine (NECA; an A2 agonist) augmented basal and low-intensity hypoxia-induced release. 2-p-(2-Carboxyethyl)phenethyl-amino-5'-N-ethylcaboxamido-adenosine hydrochloride (CGS21680), 2-hexynyl-NECA (HE-NECA) and SCH58621 (A2A receptors agents) neither affected catecholamine release nor altered the caffeine effects. The 8-cycle-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; an A1/A2B antagonist) and 8-(4-{[(4-cyanophenyl)carbamoylmethyl]-oxy}phenyl)-1,3-di(n-propyl)xanthine (MRS1754; an A2B antagonist) mimicking of caffeine indicated that caffeine effects are mediated by A2B receptors. Immunocytochemical A2B receptors were located in tyrosine hydroxylase positive chemoreceptor cells. Caffeine reduced by 52% the chemosensory discharges elicited by hypoxia in the carotid sinus nerve. Inhibition had two components with pharmacological analysis indicating that A2A and A2B receptors mediate, respectively, the low (17 x 10(-9) m) and high (160 x 10(-6) m) IC50 effects. It is concluded that endogenous adenosine, via presynaptic A2B and postsynaptic A2A receptors, can exert excitatory effects on the overall output of the rat CB chemoreceptors.     

Acute Caffeine Treatment Increases Extracellular Nucleotide Hydrolysis from Rat Striatal and Hippocampal Synaptosomes

The psychostimulant caffeine promotes behavioral effects such as hyperlocomotion, anxiety, and disruption of sleep by blockade of adenosine receptors. The availability of extracellular adenosine depends on its release by transporters or by the extracellular ATP catabolism performed by the ecto-nucleotidase pathway. This study verified the effect of caffeine on NTP-Dase 1 (ATP diphosphohydrolase) and 5-nucleotidase of synaptosomes from hippocampus and striatum of rats. Caffeine and theophylline tested in vitro were unable to modify nucleotide hydrolysis. Caffeine chronically administered in the drinking water at 0.3 g/L or 1 g/L for 14 days failed to affect nucleotide hydrolysis. However, acute administration of caffeine (30 mg/kg, ip) produced an enhancement of ATP (50%) and ADP (32%) hydrolysis in synaptosomes of hippocampus and striatum, respectively. This activation of ATP and ADP hydrolysis after acute treatment suggests a compensatory effect to increase adenosine levels and counteract the antagonist action of caffeine.     

The effects of post-treatments with caffeine during S and G2 on the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations induced by thiotepa in root tips of Vicia faba and in human lymphocytes in vitro

The effects of post-treatments with caffeine on the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations induced by the trifunctional alkylating agent thiotepa were studied in human lymphocytes and in root tips of Vicia faba. In lymphocytes the frequency of aberrations induced in G0 or G1 was most strongly increased when the caffeine post-treatments were given during G2. In Vicia faba, on the other hand, the frequency of aberrations induced in early interphase was unaffected by post-treatments with caffeine during G2, but strongly increased when the root tips were exposed to caffeine during the S phase.     

Regional differences in mechanisms of cerebral circulatory response to neuronal activation

Vibrissal stimulation raises cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the ipsilateral spinal and principal sensory trigeminal nuclei and contralateral ventroposteromedial (VPM) thalamic nucleus and barrel cortex. To investigate possible roles of adenosine and nitric oxide (NO) in these increases, local CBF was determined during unilateral vibrissal stimulation in unanesthetized rats after adenosine receptor blockade with caffeine or NO synthase inhibition with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 7-nitroindazole (7-NI). Caffeine lowered baseline CBF in all structures but reduced the percent increase during stimulation only in the two trigeminal nuclei. L-NAME and 7-NI lowered baseline CBF but reduced the percent increase during stimulation only in the higher stations of this sensory pathway, i.e., L-NAME in the VPM nucleus and 7-NI in both the VPM nucleus and barrel cortex. Combinations of caffeine with 7-NI or L-NAME did not have additive effects, and none alone or in combination completely eliminated functional activation of CBF. These results suggest that caffeine-sensitive and NO-dependent mechanisms are involved but with different regional distributions, and neither fully accounts for the functional activation of CBF.     

Caffeine and human DNA metabolism: the magic and the mystery

The ability of caffeine to reverse cell cycle checkpoint function and enhance genotoxicity after DNA damage was examined in telomerase-expressing human fibroblasts. Caffeine reversed the ATM-dependent S and G2 checkpoint responses to DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation (IR), as well as the ATR- and Chk1-dependent S checkpoint response to ultraviolet radiation (UVC). Remarkably, under conditions in which IR-induced G2 delay was reversed by caffeine, IR-induced G1 arrest was not. Incubation in caffeine did not increase the percentage of cells entering the S phase 6-8h after irradiation; ATM-dependent phosphorylation of p53 and transactivation of p21(Cip1/Waf1) post-IR were resistant to caffeine. Caffeine alone induced a concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis. It inhibited the entry of human fibroblasts into S phase by 70-80% regardless of the presence or absence of wildtype ATM or p53. Caffeine also enhanced the inhibition of cell proliferation induced by UVC in XP variant fibroblasts. This effect was reversed by expression of DNA polymerase eta, indicating that translesion synthesis of UVC-induced pyrimidine dimers by DNA pol eta protects human fibroblasts against UVC genotoxic effects even when other DNA repair functions are compromised by caffeine.     

Inhibition of macromolecular synthesis by caffeine in Clostridium perfringens

Caffeine (2 mg/mL) inhibited the incorporation of [14C]adenine into actively growing cells of Clostridium perfringens NCTC 8679 in a dose-dependent manner. Also reduced by caffeine was incorporation of [14C]thymidine and 14C-labeled amino acids. No effect on guanine, uracil, adenosine, guanosine, or uridine was detected. Actual incorporation of [14C]caffeine or [14C]thymine in control cultures did not occur.     

Caffeine potentiates the enhancement by choline of striatal acetylcholine release.

We investigated the effect of peripherally administered caffeine (50 mg/kg), choline (30, 60, or 120 mg/kg) or combinations of both drugs on the spontaneous release of acetylcholine (ACh) from the corpus striatum of anesthetized rats using in vivo microdialysis. Caffeine alone or choline in the 30 or 60 mg/kg dose failed to increase ACh in microdialysis samples; the 120 mg/kg choline dose significantly enhanced ACh during the 80 min following drug administration. Coadministration of caffeine with choline significantly increased ACh release after each of the choline doses tested. Peak microdialysate levels with the 120 mg/kg dose were increased 112% when caffeine was additionally administered, as compared with 54% without caffeine. These results indicate that choline administration can enhance spontaneous ACh release from neurons, and that caffeine, a drug known to block adenosine receptors on these neurons, can amplify the choline effect.     

Effect of caffeine and adenosine on G2 repair: mitotic delay and chromosome damage

Proliferating plant cells treated during the late S period with 5-aminouracil (AU), give the typical response that DNA-damaging agents induce, characterized by: an important mitotic delay, and a potentiation of the chromosome damage by caffeine post-treatment. The study of labelled prophases, after a tritiated thymidine pulse, allowed evaluation of the mitotic delay induced by AU as well as its reversion by caffeine, while chromosome damage was estimated by the percentage of anaphases and telophases showing chromosomal aberrations. Post-treatment with adenosine alone has shown no effect on mitotic delay or chromosomal damage. However, when cells after AU were incubated in caffeine plus adenosine, the chromosome damage potentiation was abolished without affecting the caffeine action on mitotic delay. As a consequence, we postulate that caffeine could have two effects on G2 cells with damaged DNA: the first, to cancel their mitotic delay and the second to inhibit some DNA-repair pathway(s). Only this last effect could be reversed by adenosine.     

Caffeine inhibits cytokine expression in lymphocytes

Caffeine alters intracellular calcium signalling patterns in lymphocytes which are important for the specific regulation of activation and effector function in lymphocytes. The effect of caffeine on calcium signalling is probably mediated via a ryanodine receptor type 3 dependent intracellular calcium store which releases calcium after exposure to caffeine. Also, caffeine decreases lymphocyte cytotoxicity against allogenic myocyte. Which cytotoxic mechanisms are actually altered by caffeine is unknown. In mouse splenocyte cultures containing about 87% lymphocytes we show that concanavalin A (ConA, 5 microg/ml) stimulated cells increase the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IFN-gamma (ELISA) significantly. Caffeine (3.75 mM) inhibits cytokine expression of ConA stimulated cells almost completely. Ryanodine (1 microM) specifically blocks ryanodine receptors and thereby prevents caffeine induced calcium release. In our experiments, however, ryanodine has no effect on ConA stimulated IL-2 and IFN-gamma expression and only suppresses TNF-alpha expression by 20%. Furthermore, ryanodine does not prevent the inhibitory effect of caffeine on TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IFN-gamma expression in stimulated effector cells. We postulate that caffeine suppresses cytokine expression and thereby contributes to decreased cytotoxicity of lymphocytes against allogenic myocytes. The ryanodine receptor dependent intracellular calcium store does not seem to play a significant role in this process. Possibly, the blockade of IP3 receptors by caffeine is more important for cytokine suppression.     

Cross-tolerance studies between caffeine and (-)-N6-(phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (PIA) in mice

Chronic administration of caffeine to mice (1 mg/ml in drinking water X 14 d) led to a downward shift in the dose-response curve for the locomotor effects of caffeine. Caffeine was also less effective as an antagonist against (-)-(N6-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (PIA)-induced analgesia in the tail flick assay in these animals. The dose-response curves of PIA for both analgesia and locomotor depression were shifted to the left in animals chronically administered caffeine. In mice chronically administered PIA (1 mg/kg/d X 14 d), the dose-response curves of PIA for both analgesia and locomotor depression were shifted to the right. The dose-response curve for the locomotor effects of caffeine was shifted to the left, and caffeine exhibited greater antagonist activity against the analgesic action of PIA in these animals. There was no change in the Kd or Bmax values of either 3H-PIA or 3H-diethylphenylxanthine (DPX, a potent adenosine receptor antagonist) in mice chronically administered PIA. The Bmax values for both 3H-PIA and 3H-DPX were significantly increased, while the Kd values were not changed in mice chronically administered caffeine. There was no detectable change in the brain levels of either PIA or caffeine in animals chronically treated with either drug. The results demonstrate that chronic administration of caffeine increases the sensitivity of mice to the actions of PIA and vice versa, providing supportive evidence for the interaction of these drugs at the same receptor, which is probably an adenosine receptor.     

Fanconi anemia lymphocytes: effect of DL-alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) on chromatid breaks and on G2 repair efficiency

The high frequency of chromosomal breaks in Fanconi anemia (FA) lymphocytes has been related to the increased oxidative damage shown by these cells. The effect of 100 microM DL-alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) on the level of chromosomal damage in mitosis was studied in lymphocytes from five FA patients and from age matched controls, both under basal conditions and when G2 repair was prevented by 2.5 mM caffeine (G2 unrepaired damage). In addition, the effect of this antioxidant on G2 duration and the efficiency of G2 repair was also evaluated in the sample. alpha-Tocopherol (AT) decreased the frequency of chromosomal damage (under basal and inhibited G2 repair conditions) and the duration of G2 in FA cells. This antioxidant protective effect, expressed as the decrease in chromatid breaks, was greater in FA cells (50.8%) than in controls (25%). The efficiency of the G2 repair process (G2 R rate) defined as the ratio between the percentage of chromatid breaks repaired in G2 and the duration of this cell cycle phase was lesser in FA cells (10.6) than in controls (22.6). AT treatment slightly increased this G2 R rate, both in FA cells and controls. These results suggest that an increased oxidative damage and a lower G2 repair rate may be simultaneously involved in the high frequency of chromatid damage detected in FA cells.